Description

Shoeless Joe's rare and coveted rookie

1909 E90-1 American Caramel Joe Jackson PSA VG 3. He's one
of the most complicated legends of our National Pastime, an
illiterate child laborer from the mills of South Carolina who would
emerge as one of the greatest ballplayers the world would ever see.
But that popularity would ultimately fall to ignominy as Shoeless
Joe was swept up in the greatest scandal in Major League history,
sentenced by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis to a term of
banishment that is now approaching its centennial. But if baseball
itself hasn't yet forgiven Jackson, the majority of baseball
historians, and certainly hobbyists in the collectibles realm, have
opened their arms and hearts to the famed Black Sox conspirator.
Here we present one of the most prized relics of the latter, a
newly-discovered example of his key rookie card, the 1909-11 E90-1
American Caramel card.

While his exploits with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox
are well-known, few realize that Jackson actually got his start in
the big leagues with Connie Mack's Philadelphia A's in 1908. We
must thank the American Caramel Company for including Jackson in
their 120 card promotion as one of the few issues of the era
features the young slugger, and a rare opportunity to see Shoeless
Joe as a representative of the City of Brotherly Love.

The card presents better than its technical grade, bolstered by
bright colors and sharp registration. Points lost are due to
typical edge and corner wear, some wrinkling at top and bottom
edges, and imperfect left/right centering, all typical faults of
century old cardboard. Just over sixty have been slabbed by PSA,
with this specimen firmly planted in the top third of known
examples.

*A donation of $100 to the American Red Cross is required to attend
the Live auction.